Officially, Nokia became known as Microsoft Mobile after its acquisition last April, and all Nokia apps now list Microsoft Mobile as the publisher.

Still, Microsoft seems willing to let the Nokia brand name phase out gently. Several of the company's apps still include Nokia in the title, including Nokia Cinemagraph, Nokia Creative Studio, Nokia Panorama and Nokia Xpress. And in his latest memo announcing the layoffs, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella refers to the team as "Nokia Devices and Services." Stephen Elop, the former head of Nokia who now runs Microsoft's Devices group, uses the term "Nokia team" in his own memo.

It's worth noting that Nokia still exists as a separate company with the parts that Microsoft didn't acquire, including network technology, mapping and IP licensing. But for Microsoft, perhaps the layoffs and change in focus for Windows Phone will hasten the end of Nokia as a consumer-facing brand. We'll know for sure if Microsoft starts dropping the Nokia name from future Windows Phones.

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Jared Newman covers personal technology from his remote Cincinnati outpost. He also publishes two newsletters, Advisorator for tech advice and Cord Cutter Weekly for help with ditching cable or satellite TV.